The Earth's Plea and the Promise of Descent

Verse 1 (vishnu.5.1.1)

मैत्रेय उवाच । नृपाणां कथितःसर्वो भवता वंशविस्तरः । वंशानुचरितं चैव यथावदनुवर्णितम्

maitreya uvāca nṛpāṇāṁ kathitaḥsarvo bhavatā vaṁśavistaraḥ vaṁśānucaritaṁ caiva yathāvadanuvarṇitam

Maitreya said: "You have narrated to me the entire extended lineage of the kings, and duly described the conduct of that lineage."

Verse 2 (vishnu.5.1.2)

अंशावतारो ब्रह्मर्षे योऽयं यदुकुलोद्भवः । विष्णोस्तं विस्तरेणाहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः

aṁśāvatāro brahmarṣe yo'yaṁ yadukulodbhavaḥ viṣṇostaṁ vistareṇāhaṁ śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

"That partial descent of Vishnu, O Brahmarshi, which took birth in the Yadu lineage — I wish to hear it from you in full detail, exactly as it is."

Verse 3 (vishnu.5.1.3)

चकार यानि कर्माणि भगवान् पुरुषोत्तमः । अंशांशेनावतीर्योर्व्यां तत्र तानि मुने वद

cakāra yāni karmāṇi bhagavān puruṣottamaḥ aṁśāṁśenāvatīryorvyāṁ tatra tāni mune vada

"What deeds Lord Purushottama performed, having descended to earth as a part of a part of Himself — tell me those, O sage."

Verse 4 (vishnu.5.1.4)

श्रीपारशर उवाच । मैत्रेय श्रूयतामेतद्यत्पृष्टोऽहमिह त्वया । विष्णोरंशांशसंभूतिचरितं जगतो हितम्

śrīpāraśara uvāca maitreya śrūyatāmetadyatpṛṣṭo'hamiha tvayā viṣṇoraṁśāṁśasaṁbhūticaritaṁ jagato hitam

Parashara said: "Listen, Maitreya, to what you have asked me — the account, for the good of the world, of the birth of that part of a part of Vishnu."

Verse 5 (vishnu.5.1.5)

देवकस्य सुतां पूर्वं वसुदेवो महामुने । उपयेमे महाभागां देवकीं देवतोपमाम्

devakasya sutāṁ pūrvaṁ vasudevo mahāmune upayeme mahābhāgāṁ devakīṁ devatopamām

"Formerly, O great sage, Vasudeva married Devaki, the highly fortunate daughter of Devaka, who was like a goddess."

Verse 6 (vishnu.5.1.6)

कंसस्तयोर्वररथं चोदयामास सारथिः । वसुदेवस्य देवक्या संयोगे भोजनन्दनः

kaṁsastayorvararathaṁ codayāmāsa sārathiḥ vasudevasya devakyā saṁyoge bhojanandanaḥ

"At the wedding of Vasudeva and Devaki, Kamsa, of the Bhoja line, himself drove their bridal chariot as charioteer."

Verse 7 (vishnu.5.1.7)

आथान्तरिक्षे वागुच्चैः कंसमाभाष्य सादरम् । मेघगंभीरनिर्घोषं समाभाष्येदमब्रवीत्

āthāntarikṣe vāguccaiḥ kaṁsamābhāṣya sādaram meghagaṁbhīranirghoṣaṁ samābhāṣyedamabravīt

"Then, in the sky, a voice deep as thunder addressed Kamsa loudly and respectfully, and spoke thus."

Verse 8 (vishnu.5.1.8)

यामेतां वहसे मूढ सह भर्त्रा रथे स्थिताम् । अस्यास्तवाष्टमो गर्भः प्राणानपहरिष्यति

yāmetāṁ vahase mūḍha saha bhartrā rathe sthitām asyāstavāṣṭamo garbhaḥ prāṇānapahariṣyati

"'O fool! This woman whom you carry on the chariot together with her husband — her eighth child will take away your life.'"

Verse 9 (vishnu.5.1.9)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्यं समुत्पाट्य खड्गं कंसो महाबलः । देवकीं हन्तुमारब्धो वसुदेवोऽब्रवीदिदम्

śrīparāśara uvāca ityākarṇyaṁ samutpāṭya khaḍgaṁ kaṁso mahābalaḥ devakīṁ hantumārabdho vasudevo'bravīdidam

Parashara said: "Hearing this, the mighty Kamsa drew his sword and set about to kill Devaki. Vasudeva then spoke thus."

Verse 10 (vishnu.5.1.10)

न हन्तव्या महाभाग देवकी भवतानघ । समर्पयिष्ये सकलान्गर्भानस्योदरोद्भवान्

na hantavyā mahābhāga devakī bhavatānagha samarpayiṣye sakalāngarbhānasyodarodbhavān

"'O illustrious, sinless one, Devaki should not be killed by you. I shall hand over to you every child born from her womb.'"

Verse 11 (vishnu.5.1.11)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । तथेत्याह ततः कंसो वसुदेवं द्विजोत्तम । न घातयामास च तां देवकींसत्यगौरवात्

śrīparāśara uvāca tathetyāha tataḥ kaṁso vasudevaṁ dvijottama na ghātayāmāsa ca tāṁ devakīṁsatyagauravāt

Parashara said: "'So be it,' Kamsa then told Vasudeva, O best of brahmins, and out of regard for the promise he did not have Devaki killed."

Verse 12 (vishnu.5.1.12)

एतस्मिन्नेवकाले तु भूरिभारावपीडिता । जगाम धरणी मेरौ समाजं त्रिदिवौकसाम्

etasminnevakāle tu bhūribhārāvapīḍitā jagāma dharaṇī merau samājaṁ tridivaukasām

"At this very time, the Earth, oppressed by an excessive burden, went to Meru, to the assembly of the dwellers of heaven."

Verse 13 (vishnu.5.1.13)

स ब्रह्मकान्सुरान्सर्वान्प्रणिपत्याथ मेदिनि । कथयामास तत्सर्वं खेदात्करुणभाषिणी

sa brahmakānsurānsarvānpraṇipatyātha medini kathayāmāsa tatsarvaṁ khedātkaruṇabhāṣiṇī

"Bowing to Brahma and all the gods, the Earth, speaking pitiably out of distress, told them everything."

Verse 14 (vishnu.5.1.14)

भूमिरुवाच । अग्निःसुवर्णस्य गुरुर्गवां सूर्यः परो गुरुः । ममाप्यखिललो कानां कुरुर्नारायणो गुरुः

bhūmiruvāca agniḥsuvarṇasya gururgavāṁ sūryaḥ paro guruḥ mamāpyakhilalo kānāṁ kururnārāyaṇo guruḥ

The Earth said: "Fire is the tester and master of gold, the sun is the supreme master of cattle; and of me, and of all the worlds, the supreme master is Narayana."

Verse 15 (vishnu.5.1.15)

प्रजापतिपतिर्ब्रह्म पूर्वेषामपि पूर्वजः । कलाकाष्ठानिमेषात्मा कालश्चाव्यक्तमूर्तिमान्

prajāpatipatirbrahma pūrveṣāmapi pūrvajaḥ kalākāṣṭhānimeṣātmā kālaścāvyaktamūrtimān

"Brahma is the lord of the Prajapatis, the first-born even among the ancient ones; and Time, whose very nature is made of moments, kalas, and kashthas, is of unmanifest form."

Verse 16 (vishnu.5.1.16)

तदंशभूतःसर्वैषां समूहो वःसुरोत्तमाः

tadaṁśabhūtaḥsarvaiṣāṁ samūho vaḥsurottamāḥ

"That same Time, O best of gods, in the form of a portion, constitutes the totality of you all."

Verse 17 (vishnu.5.1.17)

आदित्या सरुतःसाध्या रुद्रा वस्वश्विवह्नयः । पितरो ये च लोकानां स्रष्टारोऽत्रिपुरोगमाः

ādityā sarutaḥsādhyā rudrā vasvaśvivahnayaḥ pitaro ye ca lokānāṁ sraṣṭāro'tripurogamāḥ

"The Adityas, the Maruts, the Sadhyas, the Rudras, the Vasus, the Ashvins, Agni, the Pitrs, and those creators of the worlds headed by Atri —"

Verse 18 (vishnu.5.1.18)

एते तस्याप्रमेयस्य विष्णो रूपं महात्मनः

ete tasyāprameyasya viṣṇo rūpaṁ mahātmanaḥ

"— all of these are the forms of that immeasurable, great-souled Vishnu."

Verse 19 (vishnu.5.1.19)

यक्षराक्षसदैतेयपिशाचोरगदानवाः । गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैवरूपं विष्णोर्महात्मनः

yakṣarākṣasadaiteyapiśācoragadānavāḥ gandharvāpsarasaścaivarūpaṁ viṣṇormahātmanaḥ

"The Yakshas, Rakshasas, Daityas, Pishachas, serpents, Danavas, and also the Gandharvas and Apsarases — these too are the form of great-souled Vishnu."

Verse 20 (vishnu.5.1.20)

ग्रहर्क्षतारकाचित्रगगनाग्निजलानिलाः । अहं च विषयाश्चैव सर्व विष्णुमयं जगत्

graharkṣatārakācitragaganāgnijalānilāḥ ahaṁ ca viṣayāścaiva sarva viṣṇumayaṁ jagat

"The planets, constellations, stars, the wondrous sky, fire, water, wind, I myself, and every object of sense — this entire world is pervaded by Vishnu."

Verse 21 (vishnu.5.1.21)

तथा चानेकरूपस्य यस्य रूपाण्य हर्निशम् । बाध्यबाधकतां यान्ति कल्लोला इव सागरे

tathā cānekarūpasya yasya rūpāṇya harniśam bādhyabādhakatāṁ yānti kallolā iva sāgare

"And thus the forms of that many-formed one obstruct and are obstructed by one another, day and night, like waves upon the ocean."

Verse 22 (vishnu.5.1.22)

तत्सांप्रतममी दैत्याः कालनेमिपुरोगमाः । मर्त्यलोकं समाक्रम्य बाधन्तेऽहर्निशं प्रजाः

tatsāṁpratamamī daityāḥ kālanemipurogamāḥ martyalokaṁ samākramya bādhante'harniśaṁ prajāḥ

"Now, at present, these Daityas headed by Kalanemi, having overrun the mortal world, oppress its people day and night."

Verse 23 (vishnu.5.1.23)

कालनेमिर्हतो योऽसौ विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना । उग्रसेनसुतः कंसःसंभूतःस महासुरः

kālanemirhato yo'sau viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā ugrasenasutaḥ kaṁsaḥsaṁbhūtaḥsa mahāsuraḥ

"That Kalanemi who was once slain by the mighty Vishnu has now been reborn as the great asura Kamsa, son of Ugrasena."

Verse 24 (vishnu.5.1.24)

आरिष्टो धेनुकः केशी प्रलंबो नरकस्तथा । सुंदोऽसुरस्तथात्युग्रो बाणश्चापि बलेःसुतः

āriṣṭo dhenukaḥ keśī pralaṁbo narakastathā suṁdo'surastathātyugro bāṇaścāpi baleḥsutaḥ

"Arishta, Dhenuka, Keshi, Pralamba, Naraka, the asura Sunda, and the exceedingly fierce Bana, son of Bali —"

Verse 25 (vishnu.5.1.25)

तथान्ये च महावीर्या नृपाणां भवनेषु ये । समुत्पन्ना दुरात्मानस्तान्न संख्यातुमुत्सहे

tathānye ca mahāvīryā nṛpāṇāṁ bhavaneṣu ye samutpannā durātmānastānna saṁkhyātumutsahe

"— and many other mighty, evil-souled ones besides, born into the households of kings, whom I am unable even to enumerate."

Verse 26 (vishnu.5.1.26)

अक्षोहिण्योत्र बहुला दिव्यमूर्तिधराःसुराः । महाबलानां दृप्तानां दैत्येन्द्रणां ममोपरि

akṣohiṇyotra bahulā divyamūrtidharāḥsurāḥ mahābalānāṁ dṛptānāṁ daityendraṇāṁ mamopari

"Upon me weigh the many akshauhini-armies of these powerful, arrogant lords of the Daityas."

Verse 27 (vishnu.5.1.27)

तद्भूरिभार पीडार्ता न शक्नोम्यमरेश्वराः । बिभर्तुमात्मानमहमिति विज्ञापयामि वः

tadbhūribhāra pīḍārtā na śaknomyamareśvarāḥ bibhartumātmānamahamiti vijñāpayāmi vaḥ

"Afflicted by that excessive burden, O lords of the immortals, I am unable to sustain myself — this I represent to you."

Verse 28 (vishnu.5.1.28)

क्रियतां तन्महाभागा मम भारावतारणम् । यथा रसातलं नाहं गच्छेयमतिविह्वला

kriyatāṁ tanmahābhāgā mama bhārāvatāraṇam yathā rasātalaṁ nāhaṁ gaccheyamativihvalā

"O illustrious ones, do what will relieve my burden, lest, overwhelmed, I sink down into Rasatala."

Verse 29 (vishnu.5.1.29)

इत्याकर्ण्य धरावाक्यमशेषैस्त्रिदशेश्वरैः । भुवो भारावतारार्थं ब्रह्मा प्राह प्रचोदितः

ityākarṇya dharāvākyamaśeṣaistridaśeśvaraiḥ bhuvo bhārāvatārārthaṁ brahmā prāha pracoditaḥ

"Having heard these words of the Earth, and urged by all the lords of the gods, Brahma spoke, in order to relieve the earth's burden."

Verse 30 (vishnu.5.1.30)

ब्रह्मोवाच । यथाह वसुधा सर्वं सत्यमेव दिवौकसः । अहं भवो भवन्तश्च सर्वे नारायणात्मकाः

brahmovāca yathāha vasudhā sarvaṁ satyameva divaukasaḥ ahaṁ bhavo bhavantaśca sarve nārāyaṇātmakāḥ

Brahma said: "O dwellers of heaven, all that the Earth has said is indeed true. I, Shiva, and all of you are of the very nature of Narayana."

Verse 31 (vishnu.5.1.31)

विभूतयश्च यास्तस्य तासामेव परस्परम् । आधिक्यन्यू६ अताबाध्यबाधकत्वेन वर्तते

vibhūtayaśca yāstasya tāsāmeva parasparam ādhikyanyū6 atābādhyabādhakatvena vartate

"And among His manifold glories there exists, mutually, difference of degree and the state of obstructing and being obstructed."

Verse 32 (vishnu.5.1.32)

तदागच्छत गच्छामः क्षीराब्धेस्तटमुत्तमम् । तत्राराध्य हरिं तस्मै सर्वं विज्ञापयाम वै

tadāgacchata gacchāmaḥ kṣīrābdhestaṭamuttamam tatrārādhya hariṁ tasmai sarvaṁ vijñāpayāma vai

"So come, let us go to the excellent shore of the Ocean of Milk; there, having worshipped Hari, let us represent everything to Him."

Verse 33 (vishnu.5.1.33)

सर्वथैव जगत्यर्थे स सर्वात्मा जगन्मयः । सत्त्वांशेनावतीर्योर्व्यां धर्मस्य कुरुते स्थितिम्

sarvathaiva jagatyarthe sa sarvātmā jaganmayaḥ sattvāṁśenāvatīryorvyāṁ dharmasya kurute sthitim

"For the sake of the world, that Self of all, who consists of the world, having descended to earth with a portion of His Sattva, establishes the stability of Dharma."

Verse 34 (vishnu.5.1.34)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा प्रययो तत्र सह देवैः पितामहः । समाहितमनाश्चैवं तुष्टाव गरुडध्वजम्

śrīparāśara uvāca ityuktvā prayayo tatra saha devaiḥ pitāmahaḥ samāhitamanāścaivaṁ tuṣṭāva garuḍadhvajam

Parashara said: "Having said this, the Grandsire proceeded there with the gods, and with a composed mind thus praised the one whose banner bears Garuda."

Verse 35 (vishnu.5.1.35)

ब्रह्मोवाच । द्वे विद्ये त्वमनाम्नायपरा चैवापरा तथा । त एव भवतो रूपे मूर्तामूर्तात्मिके प्रभो

brahmovāca dve vidye tvamanāmnāyaparā caivāparā tathā ta eva bhavato rūpe mūrtāmūrtātmike prabho

Brahma said: "In you there are two kinds of knowledge, O Lord — the higher and the lower; these very two are your two forms, the embodied and the unembodied."

Verse 36 (vishnu.5.1.36)

द्वे ब्रह्मणी त्वणीयोतिस्थूलात्मन्सर्व सर्ववित् । शब्दब्रह्मपरं चैव ब्रह्म ब्रह्ममयस्य यत्

dve brahmaṇī tvaṇīyotisthūlātmansarva sarvavit śabdabrahmaparaṁ caiva brahma brahmamayasya yat

"You, all-knowing one, are the two Brahmans — the extremely subtle and the extremely gross — the Word-Brahman and the Supreme Brahman, both the nature of the one made of Brahman."

Verse 37 (vishnu.5.1.37)

ऋग्वेदस्त्वं यजुर्वेदःसामवेदस्त्वथर्वणः । शिक्षाकल्पो निरुक्तं च च्छन्दो ज्योतिषमेव च

ṛgvedastvaṁ yajurvedaḥsāmavedastvatharvaṇaḥ śikṣākalpo niruktaṁ ca cchando jyotiṣameva ca

"You are the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda, and the Atharva; you are Shiksha, Kalpa, Nirukta, Chandas, and Jyotisha."

Verse 38 (vishnu.5.1.38)

इतिहासपुराणे च तथा व्याकरणं प्रभो । मीमांसा न्यायशास्त्रं च धर्मशास्त्राण्यधोक्षज

itihāsapurāṇe ca tathā vyākaraṇaṁ prabho mīmāṁsā nyāyaśāstraṁ ca dharmaśāstrāṇyadhokṣaja

"You, O Lord, are the Itihasas and the Puranas, and grammar; and, O Adhokshaja, you are the Mimamsa, the science of logic, and the Dharma-shastras."

Verse 39 (vishnu.5.1.39)

आत्माऽत्मदेहगुणवद्विचाराचारि यद्वच । तदप्याद्यपते नान्यदध्यात्मात्मस्वरूपवत्

ātmā'tmadehaguṇavadvicārācāri yadvaca tadapyādyapate nānyadadhyātmātmasvarūpavat

"O primordial Lord, whatever inquiry and practice concerns the self, the body, and their qualities — that too is nothing other than the nature of the inner Self."

Verse 40 (vishnu.5.1.40)

त्वमव्यक्तमनिर्देश्यमचिन्त्यानामवर्मवत् । अपाणिपादरूपं च शुद्धं नित्यं परात्परम्

tvamavyaktamanirdeśyamacintyānāmavarmavat apāṇipādarūpaṁ ca śuddhaṁ nityaṁ parātparam

"You are unmanifest, indescribable, inconceivable, faultless — of a form without hands or feet, pure, eternal, higher than the highest."

Verse 41 (vishnu.5.1.41)

शृणोष्यकर्णः परिपश्यसि त्वमचक्षुरूपो बहुरूपरूपः । अपादहस्तो जवनो ग्रहीता त्वं वेत्सि सर्वं च सर्ववेद्यः

śṛṇoṣyakarṇaḥ paripaśyasi tvamacakṣurūpo bahurūparūpaḥ apādahasto javano grahītā tvaṁ vetsi sarvaṁ ca sarvavedyaḥ

"Without ears You hear, without the form of eyes You see all — You of many forms; without feet or hands You are swift and a grasper; You know all things, and all things know You."

Verse 42 (vishnu.5.1.42)

अणोरणीयां समसत्स्वरूपं त्वां पश्यतो ज्ञाननिवृत्तिरग्र्या । धीरस्य धीरस्य बिभर्ति नान्यद्वरेण्यरूपात्परतः परात्मन्

aṇoraṇīyāṁ samasatsvarūpaṁ tvāṁ paśyato jñānanivṛttiragryā dhīrasya dhīrasya bibharti nānyadvareṇyarūpātparataḥ parātman

"O Supreme Self, for the steadfast one who beholds You, subtler than the subtle, of undivided form, that itself is the highest fulfillment of knowledge; beyond your most excellent form there is nothing else supreme."

Verse 43 (vishnu.5.1.43)

त्वं विश्वनाभिर्भुवनस्य गोप्ता सर्वाणि भूतानि तवान्तराणि । यद्भूतभव्यं यदणोरणीयः पुमांस्त्वमेकः प्रकृतेः परस्तात्

tvaṁ viśvanābhirbhuvanasya goptā sarvāṇi bhūtāni tavāntarāṇi yadbhūtabhavyaṁ yadaṇoraṇīyaḥ pumāṁstvamekaḥ prakṛteḥ parastāt

"You are the navel of the universe, the guardian of the world; all beings are within You. Whatever has been and whatever will be, whatever is subtler than the subtle — You are the one Purusha, beyond Prakriti."

Verse 44 (vishnu.5.1.44)

एकश्चतुर्धा भगवान्हुताशो वर्चोविभूतं जगतो ददासि । त्वं विश्वतश्चक्षुरनन्तमूर्ते त्रेधा पदं त्वं निदधासि धातः

ekaścaturdhā bhagavānhutāśo varcovibhūtaṁ jagato dadāsi tvaṁ viśvataścakṣuranantamūrte tredhā padaṁ tvaṁ nidadhāsi dhātaḥ

"O Lord, You alone, becoming fourfold as fire, give the world its splendor. O infinite-formed one, You are the eye that faces every direction; O Ordainer, You place your step in three strides."

Verse 45 (vishnu.5.1.45)

यथाग्निरेको बहुधा समिध्यते विकारभेदैरविकाररूपः । तथा भवान्सर्वगतैकरूपी रूपाण्यशेषाण्यनुपुष्यतीश

yathāgnireko bahudhā samidhyate vikārabhedairavikārarūpaḥ tathā bhavānsarvagataikarūpī rūpāṇyaśeṣāṇyanupuṣyatīśa

"As the one fire, unchanging in itself, is kindled in many ways through differences of fuel, so You, O Lord, being one form pervading all, sustain every form without exception."

Verse 46 (vishnu.5.1.46)

एकं तवाग्र्यं परमं पदं यत्पश्यन्ति त्वां सूरयो ज्ञानदृश्यम् । त्वत्तो नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति स्वरूपं यद्वा भूतं यच्च भव्यं परात्मन्

ekaṁ tavāgryaṁ paramaṁ padaṁ yatpaśyanti tvāṁ sūrayo jñānadṛśyam tvatto nānyatkiñcidasti svarūpaṁ yadvā bhūtaṁ yacca bhavyaṁ parātman

"O Supreme Self, that one foremost, highest state of Yours which the wise behold through knowledge — beyond You there exists no other essential nature, whatever has been or whatever will be."

Verse 47 (vishnu.5.1.47)

व्यक्ताव्यक्तस्वरूपस्त्वं समष्टिव्यष्टिरूपवान् । सर्वज्ञःसर्वनित्सर्वशक्तिज्ञानबलर्धिमान्

vyaktāvyaktasvarūpastvaṁ samaṣṭivyaṣṭirūpavān sarvajñaḥsarvanitsarvaśaktijñānabalardhimān

"You are of manifest and unmanifest nature, having both the collective and the individual form; You are all-knowing, all-perceiving, and endowed with all power, knowledge, strength, and prosperity."

Verse 48 (vishnu.5.1.48)

अन्यूनश्चाप्यवृद्धिश्च स्वाधीनो नादिमान्वशी । क्लमतन्द्री भयक्रोधकामादिभिरसंयुतः

anyūnaścāpyavṛddhiśca svādhīno nādimānvaśī klamatandrī bhayakrodhakāmādibhirasaṁyutaḥ

"You are neither diminished nor increased, self-dependent, beginningless, self-controlled — untouched by fatigue, lethargy, fear, anger, desire, and the like."

Verse 49 (vishnu.5.1.49)

निरवद्यः परः प्राप्तेर्निरधिष्ठोऽक्षरः क्रमः । सर्वेश्वरः पराधारो धाम्नां धामात्मकोऽक्षयः

niravadyaḥ paraḥ prāpterniradhiṣṭho'kṣaraḥ kramaḥ sarveśvaraḥ parādhāro dhāmnāṁ dhāmātmako'kṣayaḥ

"You are faultless, supreme in attainment, self-supported, imperishable, the very order of things; the lord of all, the ultimate support, the essence of every abode, and undecaying."

Verse 50 (vishnu.5.1.50)

सकलावरणानीतनिरालंबनभावन । महाविभूतिसंस्थान नमस्ते पुरुषोत्तम

sakalāvaraṇānītanirālaṁbanabhāvana mahāvibhūtisaṁsthāna namaste puruṣottama

"O one who leads beyond every covering, of the nature of that which needs no support, abode of great glory, O Purushottama — salutation to You."

Verse 51 (vishnu.5.1.51)

नाकारणात्कारणाद्वा कारणाकारणान्न च । शरीरग्रहणं वापि धर्मत्राणाय केवलम्

nākāraṇātkāraṇādvā kāraṇākāraṇānna ca śarīragrahaṇaṁ vāpi dharmatrāṇāya kevalam

"Neither without cause, nor from an ordinary cause, nor from cause-and-noncause — Your assumption of a body is solely for the protection of dharma."

Verse 52 (vishnu.5.1.52)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । इत्येवं संस्तवं श्रुत्वा मनसा भगवानजः । ब्रह्माणमाह प्रीतेन विश्वरूपं प्रकाशयन्

śrīparāśara uvāca ityevaṁ saṁstavaṁ śrutvā manasā bhagavānajaḥ brahmāṇamāha prītena viśvarūpaṁ prakāśayan

Parashara said: "Having heard this praise, the unborn Lord, pleased, revealing His universal form, spoke to Brahma."

Verse 53 (vishnu.5.1.53)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । भोभो ब्रह्मंस्त्वया मत्तःसह देवैर्यदिष्यते । तदुच्यतामशेषं च सिद्धमेवावधार्यताम्

śrībhagavānuvāca bhobho brahmaṁstvayā mattaḥsaha devairyadiṣyate taducyatāmaśeṣaṁ ca siddhamevāvadhāryatām

The Lord said: "O Brahma, whatever you, together with the gods, desire of Me — say it fully, and know it to be as good as accomplished."

Verse 54 (vishnu.5.1.54)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । ततो ब्रह्मा हरेर्दिव्य विश्विरूपमवेक्ष्य तत् । तुष्टाव भूयो देवेषु साध्वसावनतात्मसु

śrīparāśara uvāca tato brahmā harerdivya viśvirūpamavekṣya tat tuṣṭāva bhūyo deveṣu sādhvasāvanatātmasu

Parashara said: "Then Brahma, beholding that divine universal form of Hari, praised Him again, while the awestruck gods stood with heads bowed."

Verse 55 (vishnu.5.1.55)

ब्रह्मोवाच । नमो नमस्तेस्तु सहस्रकृत्वःसहस्रबाहो बहुवक्त्रपाद । नमोनमस्ते जगतः प्रवृत्तिविनाशसंस्थानकराप्रमेय

brahmovāca namo namastestu sahasrakṛtvaḥsahasrabāho bahuvaktrapāda namonamaste jagataḥ pravṛttivināśasaṁsthānakarāprameya

Brahma said: "Salutation, salutation to You a thousand times, O thousand-armed one of many faces and feet! Salutation, salutation to You, immeasurable one, cause of the world's origination, destruction, and continuance."

Verse 56 (vishnu.5.1.56)

सूक्ष्मातिसूक्ष्मातिबृहत्प्रमाम गरीयसामप्यतिगौरवात्मन् । प्रधानबुद्धीन्द्रियवत्प्रधानमूलात्परात्मन्भगवन्प्रसीद

sūkṣmātisūkṣmātibṛhatpramāma garīyasāmapyatigauravātman pradhānabuddhīndriyavatpradhānamūlātparātmanbhagavanprasīda

"O one whose measure is subtler than the subtlest and greater than the greatest, more weighty than even the weightiest; O Supreme Self who are the root even of Prakriti, intellect, and the senses — O Lord, be gracious."

Verse 57 (vishnu.5.1.57)

एषा मही देव महीप्रसूतैर्महासुरैः पीडितशैलबन्धा । परायणं त्वां जगतामुपैति भारावतारार्थमपारसार

eṣā mahī deva mahīprasūtairmahāsuraiḥ pīḍitaśailabandhā parāyaṇaṁ tvāṁ jagatāmupaiti bhārāvatārārthamapārasāra

"This Earth, O Lord, her mountain-bonds oppressed by the great Asuras born of her own soil, comes to You, refuge of all the worlds, O one of boundless essence, to have her burden relieved."

Verse 58 (vishnu.5.1.58)

एते वयं वृत्ररिपुस्तथायं नासत्यदस्त्रौ वरुणस्तथैव । इमे च रुद्रा वसवःससूर्याःसमीरणाग्निप्रसुखास्तथान्ये

ete vayaṁ vṛtraripustathāyaṁ nāsatyadastrau varuṇastathaiva ime ca rudrā vasavaḥsasūryāḥsamīraṇāgniprasukhāstathānye

"Here are we; here is Indra, the foe of Vritra; here too are the two Nasatyas and Varuna; and these Rudras, the Vasus together with the Sun, the Wind, Fire, and other blessed ones."

Verse 59 (vishnu.5.1.59)

सुराःसमस्ताःसुरनाथकार्यमेभिर्मया यच्च तदीश सर्वाम् । आज्ञापयाज्ञां परिपालयन्तस्तवैव तिष्ठाम सदास्तदोषाः

surāḥsamastāḥsuranāthakāryamebhirmayā yacca tadīśa sarvām ājñāpayājñāṁ paripālayantastavaiva tiṣṭhāma sadāstadoṣāḥ

"O Lord of the gods, command us — all the gods, and every task that lies before us — and, O Master, we shall remain always, faultless, obedient to Your command alone."

Verse 60 (vishnu.5.1.60)

श्रीपराशर उवाच । एवं संस्तूयमानस्तु भगवान्परमेश्वरः । उज्जहारात्मनः केशौ सितकृष्णौ महामुने

śrīparāśara uvāca evaṁ saṁstūyamānastu bhagavānparameśvaraḥ ujjahārātmanaḥ keśau sitakṛṣṇau mahāmune

Parashara said: "Thus praised, O great sage, the Lord, the Supreme Ruler, plucked from His own body two hairs, one white and one black."

Verse 61 (vishnu.5.1.61)

उवाच च सुरानेतौ मत्केशौ वसुधातले । अवतीर्य भुवो भारक्लेशहानिं करिष्यतः

uvāca ca surānetau matkeśau vasudhātale avatīrya bhuvo bhārakleśahāniṁ kariṣyataḥ

"And He said to the gods: 'These two hairs of Mine, descending to the surface of the earth, will remove the earth's burden and distress.'"

Verse 62 (vishnu.5.1.62)

सुराश्च सकलाःस्वांशैरवतीर्य महीतले । कुर्वन्तु युद्धमुन्मत्तैः पूर्वोत्पन्नैर्महासुरैः

surāśca sakalāḥsvāṁśairavatīrya mahītale kurvantu yuddhamunmattaiḥ pūrvotpannairmahāsuraiḥ

"'And let all the gods, descending to the earth with their own portions, wage war against the arrogant great Asuras born before.'"

Verse 63 (vishnu.5.1.63)

ततः क्षयमशेषास्ते दैतेया धरमीतले । प्रयास्यन्ति न संदेहो मद्दृपातविचूर्णिताः

tataḥ kṣayamaśeṣāste daiteyā dharamītale prayāsyanti na saṁdeho maddṛpātavicūrṇitāḥ

"'Then all those Daityas will go to their destruction on this earth, pulverized by the mere fall of My glance — of this there is no doubt.'"

Verse 64 (vishnu.5.1.64)

वसुदेवस्य या पत्नी देवकी देवतोपमा । तत्रायमष्टमो गर्भो मत्केशो भविता सुराः

vasudevasya yā patnī devakī devatopamā tatrāyamaṣṭamo garbho matkeśo bhavitā surāḥ

"'O gods, that Devaki who is Vasudeva's wife, resembling a goddess — as her eighth child this hair of Mine will be born.'"

Verse 65 (vishnu.5.1.65)

अवतीर्य च तत्रायं कंसं घातयिता भुवि । कालनेमीं समुद्भूतमित्युक्त्वान्तर्दधे हरिः

avatīrya ca tatrāyaṁ kaṁsaṁ ghātayitā bhuvi kālanemīṁ samudbhūtamityuktvāntardadhe hariḥ

"'And descending there, he will slay on earth Kamsa, who has been born as Kalanemi reincarnate.' Having said this, Hari vanished from sight."

Verse 66 (vishnu.5.1.66)

अदृश्याय ततस्तस्मै प्रणिपत्य महामुने । मेरुपृष्ठं सुरा जग्मुरवतेरुश्च भूतले

adṛśyāya tatastasmai praṇipatya mahāmune merupṛṣṭhaṁ surā jagmuravateruśca bhūtale

"Then, O great sage, having bowed to Him who had become invisible, the gods went to the summit of Meru, and also descended upon the earth."

Verse 67 (vishnu.5.1.67)

कंसाय चाष्टमो गर्भो देवक्या धरणीधरः । भविष्यतीत्याच चक्षे भगवान्नारदो मुनिः

kaṁsāya cāṣṭamo garbho devakyā dharaṇīdharaḥ bhaviṣyatītyāca cakṣe bhagavānnārado muniḥ

"And the divine sage Narada told Kamsa that Devaki's eighth child would be the earth-bearer, a mighty one."

Verse 68 (vishnu.5.1.68)

कंसोऽपि तदुपश्रुत्य नारदात्कुपितस्ततः । देवकीं वसुदेवं च गृहे गुप्तावधारयत्

kaṁso'pi tadupaśrutya nāradātkupitastataḥ devakīṁ vasudevaṁ ca gṛhe guptāvadhārayat

"Kamsa too, having heard this from Narada, grew angry and kept Devaki and Vasudeva confined and closely guarded in the house."

Verse 69 (vishnu.5.1.69)

वसुदेवेन कंसाय तेनैवोक्तं यथा पुरा । तथैव वसुदेवोऽपि पुत्रमर्पितवान् द्विज

vasudevena kaṁsāya tenaivoktaṁ yathā purā tathaiva vasudevo'pi putramarpitavān dvija

"O brahmin, just as Vasudeva had once told Kamsa, so indeed Vasudeva handed over each son, as born, to him."

Verse 70 (vishnu.5.1.70)

हिरण्यकशिपोः पुत्राःषड्गर्भा इति विश्रुताः । विष्णुप्रयुक्ता स्तान्निद्राक्रमाद्गर्भानयोजयत्

hiraṇyakaśipoḥ putrāḥṣaḍgarbhā iti viśrutāḥ viṣṇuprayuktā stānnidrākramādgarbhānayojayat

"The sons of Hiranyakashipu, known as the 'six embryos', were, by Vishnu's arrangement, placed by Nidra one by one into Devaki's womb."

Verse 71 (vishnu.5.1.71)

योगनिद्रा महामाया वैष्णवी मोहितं यया । अविद्यया जगत्सर्वं तामाह भगवान्हरिः

yoganidrā mahāmāyā vaiṣṇavī mohitaṁ yayā avidyayā jagatsarvaṁ tāmāha bhagavānhariḥ

"To Yoganidra, Vishnu's great Maya, by whose ignorance the entire world is deluded, Lord Hari spoke thus."

Verse 72 (vishnu.5.1.72)

श्रीभगवानुवाच । निद्रे गच्छ ममादेशात्पातालातलसंश्रयान् । एकैकत्वेन षड्गर्भान्देवकीजठरं नय

śrībhagavānuvāca nidre gaccha mamādeśātpātālātalasaṁśrayān ekaikatvena ṣaḍgarbhāndevakījaṭharaṁ naya

The Lord said: "O Nidra, go by My command and, one by one, carry those six embryos, sheltered in Patala, into Devaki's womb."

Verse 73 (vishnu.5.1.73)

हतेषु तेषु कंसेन शेषाख्योंशस्ततो मम । अंशांशोनादरे तस्याःसप्तमः संभविष्यति

hateṣu teṣu kaṁsena śeṣākhyoṁśastato mama aṁśāṁśonādare tasyāḥsaptamaḥ saṁbhaviṣyati

"'When those six have been killed by Kamsa, then, from a portion of Mine known as Shesha, an aṁśāṁśa will become her seventh child.'"

Verse 74 (vishnu.5.1.74)

गोकुले वसुदेवस्य भार्यान्या रोहिणी स्थिता । तस्याःस संभूतिसमं देवि नेयस्त्वयोदरम्

gokule vasudevasya bhāryānyā rohiṇī sthitā tasyāḥsa saṁbhūtisamaṁ devi neyastvayodaram

"'In Gokula lives Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva; O goddess, that seventh embryo is to be transferred by you into her womb the moment it is formed.'"

Verse 75 (vishnu.5.1.75)

सप्तमो भोजरा जस्य भयाद्रोधोपरोधतः । देवक्याः पितितो गर्भ इति लोको वदिष्यति

saptamo bhojarā jasya bhayādrodhoparodhataḥ devakyāḥ pitito garbha iti loko vadiṣyati

"'"Out of fear of the Bhoja king, through repeated affliction, Devaki's seventh child was lost" — so will the world say.'"

Verse 76 (vishnu.5.1.76)

गर्भसंकर्षणात्सोऽथ लोके संकर्षणेति वै । संज्ञामवाप्स्यते वीरः श्वेताद्रिशिखरोपमः

garbhasaṁkarṣaṇātso'tha loke saṁkarṣaṇeti vai saṁjñāmavāpsyate vīraḥ śvetādriśikharopamaḥ

"'Then, because of the drawing-forth of the embryo, that hero, resembling the peak of a white mountain, will gain the name Sankarshana in the world.'"

Verse 77 (vishnu.5.1.77)

ततोऽहं संभविष्यामि देवकीजठरे शुभे । भर्गं त्वया यशोदाया गन्तव्यमविलंबितम्

tato'haṁ saṁbhaviṣyāmi devakījaṭhare śubhe bhargaṁ tvayā yaśodāyā gantavyamavilaṁbitam

"'Then I shall be born in Devaki's auspicious womb. You must go without delay to Yashoda.'"

Verse 78 (vishnu.5.1.78)

प्रावृट्काले च नभसि कृष्णाष्टम्यामहं निशि । उत्पत्स्यामि नवम्यां तु प्रसूतिं त्वमवाप्स्यसि

prāvṛṭkāle ca nabhasi kṛṣṇāṣṭamyāmahaṁ niśi utpatsyāmi navamyāṁ tu prasūtiṁ tvamavāpsyasi

"'In the rainy season, on the eighth night of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada, I shall be born; and you shall achieve your own delivery on the ninth.'"

Verse 79 (vishnu.5.1.79)

यशोदाशयने मां तु देवक्यास्त्वामनिन्दिते । मच्छक्तिप्रोरितमतिर्वसुदेवो नयिष्यति

yaśodāśayane māṁ tu devakyāstvāmanindite macchaktiproritamatirvasudevo nayiṣyati

"'O blameless one, Vasudeva, his mind impelled by My power, will carry Me to Yashoda's bed, and you to Devaki's side.'"

Verse 80 (vishnu.5.1.80)

कंसश्च त्वामुपादाय देवि शैलशिलातले । प्रक्षेप्स्यत्यन्तारिक्षे च संस्थानं त्वमवाप्स्यसि

kaṁsaśca tvāmupādāya devi śailaśilātale prakṣepsyatyantārikṣe ca saṁsthānaṁ tvamavāpsyasi

"'O goddess, Kamsa, seizing you, will dash you upon a rock's surface; and then you shall attain your place in the sky.'"

Verse 81 (vishnu.5.1.81)

ततस्त्वां शतदृक्छक्रः प्रणम्य मम गौरवात् । प्रणिपातानतशिरा भगिनीत्वे ग्रहीष्यति

tatastvāṁ śatadṛkchakraḥ praṇamya mama gauravāt praṇipātānataśirā bhaginītve grahīṣyati

"'Then Indra of a hundred eyes, bowing to you out of regard for Me, his head bent low, will accept you as his sister.'"

Verse 82 (vishnu.5.1.82)

त्वं च शुंभनिशुंभादीन्हत्वा दैत्यान्सहस्रशः । स्थानैरनेकैः पृथिवीमशेषां मण्डयिष्यसि

tvaṁ ca śuṁbhaniśuṁbhādīnhatvā daityānsahasraśaḥ sthānairanekaiḥ pṛthivīmaśeṣāṁ maṇḍayiṣyasi

"'And you, having slain Shumbha, Nishumbha, and other Daityas by the thousand, will adorn the whole earth with your many shrines.'"

Verse 83 (vishnu.5.1.83)

त्वं भूतिः सन्नतिः क्षान्तिः कान्तिर्द्यौः पृथिवी धृतिः । लज्जापुष्टी रुषा या तु काचिदन्या त्वमेव सा

tvaṁ bhūtiḥ sannatiḥ kṣāntiḥ kāntirdyauḥ pṛthivī dhṛtiḥ lajjāpuṣṭī ruṣā yā tu kācidanyā tvameva sā

"'You are prosperity, humility, forbearance, splendor, heaven, earth, steadfastness, modesty, and nourishment; and whatever other power there is, that too, indeed, are you.'"

Verse 84 (vishnu.5.1.84)

ये त्वामार्येति दुर्गेति वेदगर्भांबिकेति च । भद्रेति भद्रकालीति क्षेमदा भग्यदेति च

ye tvāmāryeti durgeti vedagarbhāṁbiketi ca bhadreti bhadrakālīti kṣemadā bhagyadeti ca

"'Those who call upon you as Arya, as Durga, as Vedagarbha, as Ambika, as Bhadra, as Bhadrakali, as Kshemada, and as Bhagyada —'"

Verse 85 (vishnu.5.1.85)

प्रातश्चैवापराह्ने च स्तोष्यन्त्यानम्रमूर्तयः । तेषां हि प्रार्थितं सर्वं मत्प्रसादाद्भविष्यति

prātaścaivāparāhne ca stoṣyantyānamramūrtayaḥ teṣāṁ hi prārthitaṁ sarvaṁ matprasādādbhaviṣyati

"'— and, heads bowed, praise you morning and evening — for them, everything prayed for shall come to pass, by My grace.'"

Verse 86 (vishnu.5.1.86)

सुरामांसोपहरैश्च भक्ष्यभोज्यैश्च पूजिता । नॄणामशेषसामांस्त्वं प्रसन्ना संप्रदास्यसि

surāmāṁsopaharaiśca bhakṣyabhojyaiśca pūjitā nṝṇāmaśeṣasāmāṁstvaṁ prasannā saṁpradāsyasi

"'Worshipped with offerings of wine and meat, and with foods and delicacies, you, well pleased, will grant men all their desires without exception.'"

Verse 87 (vishnu.5.1.87)

ते सर्वे सर्वदा भद्रे मत्प्रसादादसंशयम् । असंदिग्धा भविष्यन्ति गच्छ देवि यथोदितम्

te sarve sarvadā bhadre matprasādādasaṁśayam asaṁdigdhā bhaviṣyanti gaccha devi yathoditam

"'O auspicious one, all of that will, by My grace, always come to pass without doubt or fail. Go now, O goddess, as you have been instructed.'"